Sunday, Day 1 Arrive Antananarivo - Upon arrival into the capital city of Madagascar, affectionately known as "Tana", clear customs and meet Cortez representative for transfer to the Hotel Tamboho (standard room) for overnight stay. No meals today (option to upgrade to superior room at the Tamboho)

Monday, Day 2 Antananarivo / Maroantsetra - After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for morning flight to Maroantsetra, gateway to the Masoala Peninsula great rainforest, mecca of naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts. After hotel check-in and lunch, depart by boat to the Andrifotra Private Reserve, a lush, virgin and private Eden located between the bay and lazy river. Return to the Hippocampe Hotel for dinner and overnight. BLD

Tuesday, Day 3 Maroantsetra / excursion Nosy Mangabe - Full day excursion by boat to the island reserve of Nosy Mangabe, just off the shore of Maroantsetra. One is sure to see the curious brown lemur and the unique leaf-tailed gecko on a pleasant walk along the shore; a more challenging uphill climb reveals an ancient burial site and the black and white ruffed lemur high in the trees. Return by the river to the Hippocampe for dinner, night walk for best chance to see the elusive Aye aye (depending partly on guide), and overnight. BLD

Wednesday, Day 4 Maroantsetra / Antananarivo / Perinet Reserve - Time to visit the pleasant marketplace, known for intricate raffia hats and bags, before return flight to the capital. Transfer and overnight Hotel Tamboho. BL. Dinner on own

Thursday, Day 5 Antananarivo / Ft. Dauphin / Berenty Reserve - Transfer to airport for flight to Ft. Dauphin; upon arrival at the southernmost tip of Madagascar, meet and depart for Berenty Reserve, a 3+ hour drive from coastal rainforest to the spiny desert. Stops along the way to view the unique baobab trees, rare three-cornered palms and funerary art of the Malagasy burial grounds. Afternoon and evening visits to the reserve; meals and overnight at Gite de Berenty. BLD

Friday, Day 6 Berenty Reserve - Day to spend in the reserve with walks along the wide, well swept paths. The Lemur Catta Maki, better known as the ring-tailed lemurs, are very friendly and seem pleased to pose for photographs. Be ready for surprise encounters with the beautiful sifaka lemur and other species including flying foxes, lizards, chameleons, the endangered radiated tortoise and dozens of species of rare birds. Meals and overnight at Gite de Berenty at the edge of the forest. BLD

Saturday, Day 7 Berenty / Ft. Dauphin - Time for visit to the reserve of the spiny desert and small but comprehensive cultural museum at Berenty before return drive to Ft. Dauphin. Afternoon stop at Reserve du Nahampoana, located on the edge of town within an old French botanical garden research center. Ringtails, sifakas and brown lemurs reside here in a lush garden set against a misty mountain backdrop. Meals and overnight Croix du Sud. BLD

Sunday, Day 8 Ft. Dauphin / Antananarivo / Andasibe - Breakfast and transfer to the airport for morning flight back to the capital. Upon arrival, meet and depart by car to Andasibe in the eastern rainforest with lunch on the way, and continue on to the forest of the Analamazoatra Reserve (Perinet). Dinner and overnight at Vakona Forest Lodge or Hotel Eulophiella. BLD

Monday, Day 9 Analamazaotra Reserve - Full day to spend in the reserve with early start to see the Indri indri and hear their haunting "singing" call. Mild hiking provides a good opportunity to experience the abundant flora and fauna of the eastern rain forest. Dinner and overnight at the Vakona or Eulophiella. BLD

Tuesday, Day 10 Andasibe / Antananarivo - Morning visit with the friendly lemurs at the small reserve of the Vakona before lunch and return drive to the capital with a stop at the "Madagascar Exotic" nature farm at Mandraka. Dinner at the La Varangue restaurant, relax in dayroom before transfer to the airport for flight to Paris, departing just after midnight tonight (Wednesday). Those traveling via Johannesburg overnight at the Tamboho.

Wednesday, Day 11 Antananarivo / Diego Suarez / excursion Montagne d'Ambre - Leisurely breakfast before midday flight to Diego, unique port on the northern tip of the island. Diego sparks a conglomeration of architecture reflecting the myriad of influences throughout the centuries. Meet and depart for the beautiful and lush national park of Montagne d'Ambre. Enjoy a late afternoon and evening walk; overnight at Nature Lodge or Allamanda Hotel. BLD

Thursday, Day 12 Diego Suarez / excursion Ankarana / Ankify - Early morning departure for the Ankarana, noted for its bizarre limestone pinnacles known as the "Tsingy". Visit to the caves or climb the Tsingy for a view of this vast area; close encounters with the crown lemurs during your picnic lunch. Continue on to Ankify in the afternoon; dinner overlooking the ocean and overnight Hotel Baobab. BLD

Friday, Day 13 Ankify / Nosy Be / excursion Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely - Early morning boat trip to Nosy Be, with stops along the way on the islands of Nosy Komba, where the black lemurs reign, and Nosy Tanikely for snorkeling and a barbeque lunch. Dinner and overnight at Nosy Be Hotel. BLD

Saturday, Day 14 Nosy Be / excursion Lokobe Reserve - Day excursion to the peninsula of Lokobe by pirogue, native paddle boat. Learn firsthand from Jean-Robert and his guides about his village's prolific plants and wildlife. Meals and overnight Nosy Be Hotel. BLD

Sunday, Day 15 Nosy Be / Antananarivo - Day for R&R or visit the marketplace before return flight to the capital. Transfer and overnight Hotel Tamboho. BL Dinner on own. Those traveling to Paris relax in dayroom before transfer to airport for flight to Paris, departing just after midnight (Monday).

Monday, Day 16 Depart Antananarivo - Leisurely breakfast before transfer to airport for flight to Johannesburg departing at 3:00pm; time for stop at La Digue crafts market before check-in. B Lunch on own today.

COSTS for Discovery Group Tour are as follows:

Tour from Antananarivo:

$ 5,790.00 per person

Additional night in Antananarivo if necessary:

$ 110.00 per person

Upgrade to the Superior room at Tamboho (5 nights in Tana):

$ 200.00 per person

Single supplement:

$ 1,280

Single supplement / Superior room Tamboho:

$ 1,450

Add-on airfares from all U.S. departure cities to Antananarivo available upon request.Minimum of 2 passengers required for each tour to operate.

all beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, including bottled water; gratuities

personal items such as phone, fax, laundry

Please note that order of itinerary may be rearranged subject to air schedule changes by Air Madagascar, and some hotels may have to be substituted with similarly priced hotels due to conditions beyond our control.